A MOTHER today spoke of her horror after her 12-year-old son and two pals swallowed Ecstasy tablets they found on a street.

Carl Brookes and his friends, 11 and 15, were rushed to Manchester Royal Infirmary.

None of the boys is seriously ill but all have been kept in hospital today as a precaution.

They found the pills in a bag in Station Road, Reddish, Stockport.

Carl's mother Joanne Challinor, of Ryder Brow Road, Gorton, said today: "I was completely shocked when I first heard. You fear the worst when you hear the word Ecstasy and immediately I was wondering how much he had taken.

"At first I was annoyed that he had even considered taking something like that because I am always telling him about the dangers of drugs and not to touch things when he doesn't know what they are or what they can do.

Relieved

"But then I just became extremely concerned and am very relieved he and his friends are now okay."

Paul Brooks, Carl's father, said: "Carl shouldn't have taken what he did but then he also shouldn't be finding drugs in the street."

The boys discovered the bag of tablets about 7pm yesterday and it is understood they began taking some of the pills around an hour later.

They arrived back in Gorton just before 9pm and visited a friend, who later called an ambulance when the boys began to complain they felt ill.

The 17-year-old brother of the two other boys, also from Gorton, said: "I've told them before never to take anything when they don't know what it is. We're all quite shocked to hear what happened but are just glad they are okay."

Greater Manchester Police said they were trying to discover where the drugs came from.

Insp Steve Howell of Stockport Police said: "We would urge any children who find drugs or tablets of any sort to contact the police immediately. Under no circumstances should they take them. Drugs can be very dangerous."